I'll Be Back

11

Mikha was at work while Aiah remained at home, feeling aimless and lost. She lay on her bed, mindlessly scrolling through her phone, trying to distract herself. Suddenly, her phone rang, displaying a call from her mother.

A: Hey Mom! Napatawag ka?

M: Aiah...

Ai: Mom? Is something wrong?

M: Your dad... He's gone.

A: .....

M: Baby? I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, baby.

A: Mom... Since when? Bakit. Bakit si Dad pa.

M: His leukemia got worse, anak. I would've saved him if I had come home earlier last night. I'm so sorry, baby.

Aiah ended the call, unable to speak another word. She felt a heavy silence settle over her, an emptiness she couldn't comprehend. Just when she thought everything was starting to get better, the news of her father’s death shattered her world.

She sat on her bed, her phone slipping from her fingers onto the soft sheets. Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled over, running down her cheeks. She hugged her knees to her chest, rocking slightly, her mind racing with memories of her dad. She remembered his laughter, his advice, the warmth of his hugs. The thought of never experiencing those moments again was too much to bear.

The house felt unbearably quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos in her mind. She wanted to scream, to run, to do anything to escape the pain, but all she could do was cry. She felt utterly alone, despite knowing her mother was grieving too. Aiah wished Mikha was there, needing the comfort of her presence more than ever.

Hours passed in a blur of tears and silence. Aiah didn’t know how she was going to face this new reality. She closed her eyes, hoping that when she opened them, it would all be a bad dream. But deep down, she knew it wasn’t. Her dad was gone, and nothing would ever be the same again.

Mikha arrived home, noticing an unusual feeling that settled over the house. It was strange not to be greeted by Aiah, who usually welcomed her with a smile or a hug

"Aiah!! I'm homeee!!" She shouted. But there was no response.

Concerned, she checked the living room, but Aiah wasn’t there. She then peeked into Aiah’s room, finding it empty as well.

Puzzled and a bit worried, Mikha made her way to her own room. As she walked down the hallway, she caught sight of Aiah on the balcony. The girl just stood there, shoulders shaking with sobs, tears streaming down her face.

Mikha’s heart ached at the sight. She quickly went to the balcony, gently placing a hand on Aiah’s shoulder. “Hey. What's wrong?” she asked softly.

Aiah turned to Mikha, her eyes red and swollen from crying. She looked at Mikha but didn't say a word. Mikha pulled Aiah into a tight embrace, holding her as she cried.

“Do you want to talk about it?” she whispered, her own eyes welling up with tears hearing Aiah's sobs.

Aiah clung to Mikha, the pain of her loss overwhelming her.
“Wala na si dad”

Mikha froze in shock, then she rubbed Aiah’s back soothingly. “What?! I'm so sorry”

They stayed like that for a long time, the balcony lights surrounding them, casting a cold glow over them. The silence between them was heavy with grief, but Aiah was filled with a deep sense of comfort in Mikha's presence.